The President of Ghana's Catholic Bishops' Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has urged the government to integrate character formation and moral education into the country's formal education system. He warned that academic knowledge without strong values may not contribute meaningfully to national development. This call was made at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebration of Sacred Heart Senior High Technical School in the Bono region.
Most Rev. Gyamfi noted that Ghana's education system prioritizes academic achievement over values such as honesty, hard work, respect, patriotism, and volunteerism. He used a machine manual analogy, explaining that academic knowledge provides skills, while character formation teaches responsible application of that knowledge for societal benefit. This approach is crucial for addressing the country's development challenges.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference President emphasized that education must prepare young people to become responsible, ethical, and productive citizens. Although Ghana has expanded access to education, insufficient attention is paid to systematically teaching values in schools. He therefore urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to develop a framework of core national values to be taught at all levels of education.
Most Rev. Gyamfi identified values such as honesty, cleanliness, hard work, respect for authority, and patriotism as essential for the national character. He expressed concern about the growing use of insults and verbal abuse in public discourse, particularly among politicians, raising questions about the effectiveness of character formation within the education system.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference President stressed that respect and responsible communication should be integral to every Ghanaian's education, regardless of academic qualifications or social status. He urged the government to shape a new generation of citizens whose conduct reflects cherished societal values. Most Rev. Gyamfi described the proposed approach as "positive indoctrination," involving the intentional instillation of values promoting individual and societal welfare.
Most Rev. Gyamfi emphasized that investment in educational infrastructure and academic delivery remains important, but the ultimate measure of education should also include its contribution to building responsible citizens and a morally conscious society. He cautioned that positive character traits would not develop consistently unless taught through deliberate, systematic, and sustained efforts.
By emphasizing moral education, Ghana can develop a more responsible and morally conscious society. The integration of character formation into the education system will help address the country's development challenges and produce citizens who contribute meaningfully to national development. This approach will also help shape a new generation of citizens with values that promote individual and societal welfare.
Key points
- Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi calls for moral education in Ghana's schools
- The Catholic Bishops' Conference President emphasizes the need for character formation
- Ghana's education system should prioritize values such as honesty, hard work, and respect
